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Munaf Patel denies links with match-fixing syndicate

So suppose something wrong happens in the IPL, will you question Salman: Patel.

Munaf Patel denies links with match-fixing syndicate

Munaf Patel (C) (Photo: Twitter)

Veteran Indian speedster Munaf Patel denied links to match-fixing syndicate on Friday.

Talking to Times Now, Patel said, “You must know that a person who has played the IPL, who has played for the country, will they do fixing in the Rajputana League?”

Responding to a question about his appearance in the opening ceremony of the T20 league, Patel said “What’s the big deal. If I get the money, can I not even go for the inaugural ceremony? Now, Shahrukh Khan will come, Salman Khan will come, will they come for free? You know even they take money to come, right?”

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“So suppose something wrong happens in the IPL, will you question Salman?”

“My life revolves around cricket, and I do not even do anything apart from playing cricket. If anyone accuses me, whether it’s the CID or the government, I will not leave them. I have not played nor I am a bookie,” Munaf Patel added.

Earlier in the day, it was reported that a member of India’s International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup 2011 winning is under scanner for his alleged links with the match-fixing syndicate.

The syndicate had reportedly organised Rajputana Premier League (RPL) T20 tournament in Jaipur in July 2017.

As per reports, RPL first came under the scrutiny of the BCCI’s anti-corruption security unit and now it is being probed by Rajasthan Police’s CID. The T20 tournament involved cricket players and was telecasted live on Neo Sports. The T20 league reportedly make Rs 2-3 crore a week.

Now, according to a report in The Indian Express, the cricketer had links with the person who is said to be running the “organised cricket racket”, and the person also partially funded the T20 tournament.

In July laptops, mobiles, cash and walkie-talkie were recovered from the hotel and the police had arrested 14 people including organisers, players, umpires and alleged bookies. In July 2017, the case was transferred to CID and the 14 arrested people are out on bail since.

Pankaj Kumar Singh, Additional DGP CID (Crime), told The Indian Express that the police are following all leads.

“We are currently probing links between private entities, those who are part of the cricket fraternity and officials. We will take action if there is evidence that links them to corruption”

However, he refused to from sharing the details of the possible involvement of an Indian cricketer in the racket.

Earlier, former Sri Lanka skipper Arjuna Ranatunga, who had led Islanders in winning 1996 World Cup, had asked ICC WC 2011 final to be investigated.

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